Friday, July 22, 2016

Patrol car video shows a white Austin, Texas, police officer violently throwing a black woman to the ground during a traffic stop, followed by another white officer telling her black people have "violent tendencies" and whites are justifiably afraid.

Austin Police Chief Art Acevedo condemned both officers' actions. He called the officer's comments on the video "disturbing" and said a criminal investigation has been opened against the officer who arrested Breaion King.

Texas officer says blacks have 'violent tendencies'

The traffic stop happened in June 2015 but was not made public until the Austin American-Statesman published the video Thursday.

Acevedo called a news conference hours later and said both officers have been taken off street patrol and are on desk duty pending new internal investigations

Patrick Spradlin

The officer asks the woman: “Why do you think so many people are afraid of black people?” He answers his own question by saying it’s because of “violent tendencies.” He says he doesn’t blame people who are afraid because he says some black people look “intimidating.”